Hydro power is known as the source of renewable energy, which is pollution free, economical and environmentally benign. Small and mini hydro power projects have the potential to provide electrical power in inaccessible and mountainous region where supply of power by grid system is uneconomical and difficult. 19% of the total planet’s electricity is provided by the hydro power plants. Small-scale hydro is in most cases “run-of-river”, with no dam or water storage. Small hydro power is most cost-effective and environmental friendly technology of energy for both the hilly and rural areas of the maximum country of the world. Energy produced by the falling water in hydro power plant can provide a high sustainable, non polluting alternative to fossil fuels, along with other types of renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. Among all the sources of renewable energy, small hydropower is considered as one of the most successful energy. Much of small hydro potential is in the remote, hilly and inaccessible regions of India, where generation from other sources or transmission of power up to long distance would not be feasible. In India, the development of Micro, Mini and Small Hydro Power (SHPs) Projects started in the year 1897. In the hilly areas, there are a large number of rivers and canals which provides a bright future in hydro-power energy. All hydropower falls in category of clean energy, but the small hydro power projects provide more significant contribution as SHPs require minimal rehabilitation, submergence and minimal impact to the environment. Therefore in the SHPs, there are more scope for harnessing sustainable hydro energy.

1. IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol. 2, Issue 09, 2014 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613
All rights reserved by www.ijsrd.com 9
Development of Small Hydro Power in India
Awadhesh Kumar1
Dr. ShriRam2
1
Post Graduate Student 2
Associate Professor
1,2
Department of Civil Engineering
1,2
Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology ,Gorakhpur
Abstract— Hydro power is known as the source of
renewable energy, which is pollution free, economical and
environmentally benign. Small and mini hydro power
projects have the potential to provide electrical power in
inaccessible and mountainous region where supply of power
by grid system is uneconomical and difficult. 19% of the
total planet’s electricity is provided by the hydro power
plants. Small-scale hydro is in most cases “run-of-river”,
with no dam or water storage. Small hydro power is most
cost-effective and environmental friendly technology of
energy for both the hilly and rural areas of the maximum
country of the world. Energy produced by the falling water
in hydro power plant can provide a high sustainable, non
polluting alternative to fossil fuels, along with other types of
renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind and
geothermal energy. Among all the sources of renewable
energy, small hydropower is considered as one of the most
successful energy. Much of small hydro potential is in the
remote, hilly and inaccessible regions of India, where
generation from other sources or transmission of power up
to long distance would not be feasible. In India, the
development of Micro, Mini and Small Hydro Power
(SHPs) Projects started in the year 1897. In the hilly areas,
there are a large number of rivers and canals which provides
a bright future in hydro-power energy. All hydropower falls
in category of clean energy, but the small hydro power
projects provide more significant contribution as SHPs
require minimal rehabilitation, submergence and minimal
impact to the environment. Therefore in the SHPs, there are
more scope for harnessing sustainable hydro energy.
Keywords: Hydro power, small hydro power plant, layout of
small hydro power plant
I. INTRODUCTION
The world is currently suffering from energy crisis.
Increasing prices of petroleum products and projections that
petroleum resources will be exhausted in a relatively short
period of time are adversely impacting the economic
condition and development of social worldwide. For
decreasing the dependence on the imported fuels with huge
price voltality, maximum countries of the world have started
the programs for developing, alternate sources of energy
based on the domestic renewable resources. Renewable
sources of energy are wind, geothermal energy, biomass,
solar energy, hydro power etc. Hydropower is a key source
for renewable electricity generation and has an important
potential to be marketed as green power. But the
construction and operation of hydropower plants may cause
some environmental impacts on the local and regional level.
Hydropower is defined as the renewable source of
energy which is pollution free and environmentally benign.
This is the oldest technique for renewable energy known to
the human being for conversion of mechanical energy into
the generation of electricity. Hydropower represents use of
water resources towards inflation free energy due to absence
of fuel cost.
Water has always been one of mankind’s most vital
resources. While human body can go weeks without food, it
can only survive for a couple of days without water
consumption. Crops in the field will shrivel and die without
a readily available supply. We use it for cleaning, we use it
for cooking. The benefits from the power of water are taken
by the human being from greater than two thousand of
years. Water wheels were used for grinding wheat into flour
as early as 100 B.C. Water wheels was used for the
production of electricity during the 19th
century. At the end
of 19th
century, the water wheels were replaced by the water
turbines, and for controlling the flow of water, the rock and
soil dams were built .Since then, the hydro power potential
of rivers are continuously developing. In India, the first
hydro power station was a small hydro power station of
capacity 130 KW commissioned at Sidrapong near
Darjeeling in West Bengal in 1897. In hydro power plant,
the potential energy of water falling from a higher level is
converted into electricity. Hydro turbines convert hydraulic
energy of water into mechanical shaft power, which are used
for driving the generator. Hydro power is very clean source
of energy and only uses the water, the water after generating
electrical power, is available for other purposes.
II. HYDRO POWER
Hydro power is defined as the power which is derived from
energy of falling water at high elevation. The hydro power
plant is defined as the power plant where electricity is
generated by the potential energy of water at high level. For
the production of hydro power it is necessary that the
sufficient quantity of water must be available at the
sufficient head and at the suitable site. A dam is constructed
across a river for creating the head. The water from the dam
comes to the turbine. The turbine changes the hydraulic
energy of water into the mechanical energy. A generator is
used, which converts the mechanical energy from turbine
into the electrical energy output.
III. DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL HYDRO POWER PROJECTS
Hydro power projects are generally classified into the two
types, known as Small Hydro and Large Hydro. The hydro
projects of capacities up to 25 MW are known as Small
Hydro Power (SHP) Projects. The hydro power projects
above 25 MW capacities are known as large hydro power
project. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is
responsible for the subject of small hydro power (up to 25
MW), while Ministry of Power, Government of India is
responsible for the development of large hydro power
projects. Depending upon the capacities, SHP projects are
categorized as Micro, Mini, and Small hydro projects .SHP
is known as the reliable option for the development of hilly

2. Development of Small Hydro Power in India
(IJSRD/Vol. 2/Issue 09/2014/003)
All rights reserved by www.ijsrd.com 10
and rural areas where the power by the grid system is very
difficult and costly. It has been recognized that small hydro
power projects can play a critical role in improving the
overall energy scenario of the country and in particular
remote and inaccessible areas.
IV. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER STATION (A SCHEMATIC
DIAGRAM)
Fig.1: Hydro-electric power station
V. POTENTIAL AND INSTALLED CAPACITY OF SMALL HYDRO
POWER IN INDIA
The estimated potential of small hydro power of the World
is about to 180000 MW. India has an estimated potential of
about 20000 MW with perennial flow rivers, streams and a
large irrigation canal network with dams & barrages. State-
wise Small Hydropower identified sites (SMALL HYDRO
PROJECT UP TO 25 MW) and installed capacities are
given in Table1
S.
N
o.
State Installe
d
Project
Capacity
(MW)
No
Under
Impletio
n
Project
Capacity
No
(MW)
Future
Project
s
Project
Capacit
y
No
(MW)
Total
Project
Capacity
No
(MW)
1 Andhr
a
Prades
h
7
5
219
.03
4
7
34.0
4
38
7
97
8
50
9
123
1.07
2 Aruna
chal
Prades
h
8
0
103
.91
2
5
22.2
2
67
7
13
41
78
2
146
7.13
3 Assa
m
3 31.
11
1
7
15 11
9
23
9
13
9
285.
11
4 Bihar 8 70.
70
1
3
17.7 93 22
3
11
4
311.
4
5 Chhatt
isgarh
5 52.
00
3
6
115.
25
20
0
11
07
24
1
127
4.25
6 Goa 1 0.0
5
0 0 6 7 7 7.05
7 Gujar
at
2 15.
60
0 0 29
2
20
2
29
4
217.
60
8 Harya
na
5 70.
10
5 3.35 33 11
0
43 183.
45
9 Hima
nchal
Prades
h
6
2
587
.91
1
9
122.
2
53
1
23
98
61
2
310
8.11
10 Jamm
u &
Kash
mir
3
1
130
.53
8 34.6
5
24
5
14
31
28
4
159
6.18
11 Jharkh
and
6 4.0
5
8 34.8
5
10
3
20
9
11
7
248.
35
12 Karna
taka
9
0
963
.76
3
9
240.
992
83
4
41
41
96
3
534
5.75
2
13 Kerala 1
8
158
.42
2
2
52.7
5
24
5
70
4
28
5
915.
17
14 Madh
ya
Prades
h
9 86.
16
5 4.9 29
9
82
0
31
3
911.
06
15 Mahar
ashtra
3
3
299
.93
4 71.2 27
4
79
4
31
1
116
5.13
16 Manip
ur
1
1
5.4
5
4 2.75 11
4
10
9
12
9
117.
2

3. Development of Small Hydro Power in India
(IJSRD/Vol. 2/Issue 09/2014/003)
All rights reserved by www.ijsrd.com 11
17 Megh
alaya
3 31.
03
9 1.7 97 23
0
10
9
262.
73
18 Mizor
am
1
7
36.
47
5 0.5 72 16
9
94 205.
97
19 Nagal
and
9 28.
67
6 4.2 99 19
7
11
4
229.
87
20 Orissa 6 64.
30
1
0
3.6 22
2
29
5
23
8
362.
9
21 Punja
b
3
3
154
.50
1
2
21.1
5
25
9
44
1
30
4
616.
65
22 Rajast
han
9 23.
85
0 0 66 57 75 80.8
5
23 Sikki
m
1
6
52.
11
1 0.2 88 26
7
10
5
319.
31
24 Tamil
Nadu
1
4
123
.05
0 0 19
7
66
0
21
1
783.
05
25 Tripur
a
3 16.
01
0 0 13 47 16 63.0
1
26 Uttar
Prades
h
6 25.
01
0 0 25
1
46
1
25
7
486.
01
27 Uttara
khand
9
3
174
.82
3
8
174.
04
44
8
17
08
57
9
205
6.86
28 West
Benga
l
4
5
98.
40
1
7
84.2
5
20
3
39
6
26
5
578.
65
29 Anda
man
&
Nicob
ar
5 5.2
5
0 0 7 8 12 13.2
5
Total 6
9
8
363
2.2
5
3
5
0
106
1.50
2
64
74
19
74
9
75
22
244
42.7
5
Table 1: State-wise small hydro projects (up to 25 MW)
A. Comparison between Installed Project, Under
Implementation Project and Future Project
From the above figure, we get that some states like
Karnataka, Himanchal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and
Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are such that, which have
the very high future project. But there are very small number
of states (Karnataka, Himanchal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra), which have utilise their available small hydro
power. Some states are of such type, which have the future
potential, but they are not using available hydro power.
Maximum states are of such types where gap between future
project and installed project are very large. Therefore, we
get conclusion that if the policies, regulations, incentives
and subsidy schemes are reviewed for all states, then there
will be fast and great development in the small hydro power
of the country. In, India there are a large number of states,
which have the future project but their under
implementation project are negligible. Therefore, if the
small hydro power available in the country is installed, then
there will be a great development in the hydro power sector
of the country.
VI. FORMULATION OF SMALL HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL
The power generated by the hydro power plant is calculated
by the following formula given as:
P = ρ g H Q η (1.1)
Where P = Electric power output in watt
ρ = Density of water (1000 kg/m3
)
g = Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s2
)
H = Net Head (height difference between the water
levels at the
Intake and the tailrace minus all head losses in
headrace and
Penstock) in meters.
Q = Design flow rate or discharge in m3
/s
η = Overall efficiency of the turbine, generator and
gearbox (may be
taken between 0.65 to 0.80)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
AndhraPradesh
Assam
Chhattisgarh
Gujarat
HimanchalPradesh
Jharkhand
Kerala
Maharashtra
Meghalaya
Nagaland
Punjab
Sikkim
Tripura
Uttarakhand
Andaman&Nicobar
Capacity(MW)
Name of State
Installed
Capacity
Under
Impleme
ntation
Future
Project

4. Development of Small Hydro Power in India
(IJSRD/Vol. 2/Issue 09/2014/003)
All rights reserved by www.ijsrd.com 12
VII. SYSTEM COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR SMALL
HYDROPOWER PROJECT
System can be divided in three major parts as Civil Works,
Electro-Mechanical Components and Distribution System.
Civil works may include construction work required for
dam, weir, intake, desilting tank, forebay, conveyance line
or headrace, penstock, tailrace, powerhouse, substation etc.
Electro-Mechanical Components include Turbines,
generator and governor or control system and Transmission
/ Distribution System.
A. Civil Work Components
The following components fall in this heading:
 Dam
 Weir
 Intake
 Desilting tank
 Canal
 Forebay
 Conveyance line or Headrace
 Penstock
 Tailrace
 Powerhouse
 Substation
 Spillway etc.
B. Electro-Mechanical Components
The following components fall in this heading:
 Turbines
 Generator
 Governor
 Control System
 Transformer
C. Distribution System
The size and types of electric conductor cables required,
depends on the amount of electric power to be transmitted
and the length of the power line. For most SHP systems,
power lines are single phase. However, sometimes three
phase power lines are used.
VIII. ADVANTAGES OF SMALL HYDRO POWER
The advantages of small hydro power are following:
(1) It is benign source of power generation, harnessing
only gravitational potential of water to make it
yield energy in a continuum.
(2) It strong the financial condition and standards of
living mainly inaccessible and hilly areas where
limited or no electricity at all.
(3) Low investment is required which can easily be
affordable by private entrepreneurs.
(4) Small Hydro is suitable for, rural, inaccessible area
applications for isolated communities having no
chances of grid extension for years to come.
(5) Operation, running and maintenance costs of Small
Hydro Power are low.
(6) Once the dam is constructed, the hydro energy is
almost free.
(7) Since in hydro power plant burning is absent,
therefore plant is very clean and neat.
(8) Generating plants have a long lifetime.
(9) Hydro power is more reliable than solar, wave and
wind power.
(10)Irregular breakdowns are relatively very less and
short in duration because the equipment is very
simple.
(11)Electricity can be generated constantly
A. Disadvantages of Small Hydro Power
The disadvantages of Small Hydro Power are as following:
(1) Generation of power depends on the water
availability.
(2) It may cause of flood for large regions.
(3) Cost for dam construction is very high.
(4) Large dam are the reason flood during upstream. It
is harmful to human being.
(5) It is very difficult to obtain the place for dam
construction.
(6) The overflow of water is also affect the plants life.
(7) The construction of dam may cause environmental
problems.
(8) Fish migration is restricted.
(9) The power generation depends on nature and in dry
season the generation of power reduces.
(10)It takes long time for erection.
IX. CONCLUSIONS
Small hydro power is the power obtained from a limited
capacity up to 25 MW and instrumental in the development
of the hilly and remote area of the country. The future of the
small hydro power plant is bright all over the country and a
large number of small hydro power plants shall come in
future which will provide the key for development of the
remote and hilly areas of the country. These small hydro
power plants will provide the quality power to the people of
the inaccessible and hilly areas. As we get that, out of
24442.75 MW available small hydro power potential, only
3632.25 MW are in use in present time in the country. It is
the need of time that the SHP development must take place
keeping all the parameters of quality management and safety
in the place, so that the problems of constraining the
operation and maintenance of existing power station may
not occur.
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